Chapter 1: The Cold DM Experience

Recently, I took the plunge into the world of cold DMs, and let me tell you, it was quite the ride. While it didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped, I gained valuable insights from the experience.

I've been tirelessly working to piece together my business, and one of the key elements that has aided my journey is the connections I've made. I've made it a point to reach out to fellow creators and entrepreneurs who resonate with me. I trust my instincts rather than trying to articulate what draws me to them, so when I feel a connection with someone’s work, I reach out without hesitation. This approach has led to numerous friendships with individuals who align with my current phase in life, which has been incredibly enriching.

Earlier this week, I spoke with a fellow entrepreneur, M.H., who reminded me of my core focus. Here's a brief timeline of my journey so far:

1. Conducted market research to align my passions with market needs.
2. Developed my initial service offerings.
3. Concentrated on acquiring clients but fell into the trap of busywork.
4. Now, I need to refocus on acquiring clients.

Currently, I am collaborating with a couple of clients—one was a result of cold outreach, while the other came through a mutual connection. I’ve previously tried cold emailing, but it never felt right to me. If you think cold emails are stressful, wait until you try cold DMs!

The goal is to embrace cold DMs. Not only are they beneficial for my business, but they also help me strengthen my nerves and enhance my communication skills. Cold outreach feels like overcoming a significant fear, much like my previous struggle with camera anxiety.

Here's a snapshot of my first cold DM experience:

A few days ago, I decided to message Dakota Robertson. Why Dakota? I've been following her content for months, and we’ve connected on a couple of platforms before. So, while it was technically a cold DM, it felt more like a warm one, which is a great starting point.

Here’s what I sent:

Now, it’s been a few days without a response. It’s a bit disheartening, isn’t it? Thoughts like "Dakota thinks I'm odd," "I'm bothering her," and "What if she reports me as spam?" flood my mind as I navigate the initial anxiety of cold outreach. These feelings are perfectly normal.

Upon reviewing Dakota's accounts, it's clear that individuals with a significant following usually collaborate with established marketing agencies. So, why did I still choose to reach out? Because I believe that business is an inner challenge.

As creators, we often encounter tasks that we find daunting, confusing, or simply unpleasant. I’m currently grappling with the fear of cold outreach, which is precisely why I'm determined to tackle it head-on.

I find it helpful to take small, manageable steps to develop new habits. When I started writing on Medium, I was terrified to hit the publish button. It took me a week or two to overcome my inner critic and press "publish," even when my articles weren't flawless. The same applies to speaking in front of a camera, a fear that took me quite some time to conquer.

Now, I am facing another hurdle with cold outreach. However, my past experiences remind me that with patience and practice, I can adapt to anything. Our brains are capable of change, allowing us to train ourselves to face our fears.

I felt compelled to share these thoughts, as articulating my experience might resonate with others. Often, what we feel is more common than we realize. Whether it’s anxiety, self-doubt, or moments of joy and success, there’s a collective nature to our experiences. It's often more relatable to discuss our challenges rather than just our victories. After all, we glean far more wisdom from our struggles and setbacks than from our successes.

Thank you for taking the time to read my reflections.

PS: What do you think of my new banner? I'd love your honest feedback!

Chapter 2: Learning from Cold Outreach

In this chapter, I share insights from my ongoing journey of reaching out to others and the lessons learned along the way.

The first video titled "I Sent 500k Cold DM's: Here's What Works!" explores effective strategies for cold DMs and offers practical advice for those feeling apprehensive about reaching out.

The second video, "Watch this if no one is responding to your cold DMs," provides insights into managing expectations and improving response rates when sending cold messages.